1) What is Wrestling?
Wrestling, or Olympic wrestling, is the name given to two styles of wrestling (freestyle and Greco-Roman) that are contested in the Olympics. Greco-Roman wrestling originated in Ancient Greece and was part of the pentathlon. Physical strength and strategy were the two main qualities that a Greco-Roman wrestling athlete needed to be successful in the early days of this sport. Wrestling was part of the Olympic sports practiced in Ancient Greece in the 7th century BC. Freestyle wrestling is much more recent. Olympic wrestling is one of the few sports popular in all corners of the planet. In the Americas, Cuba and the United States are considered powerhouses. In Europe, Russia and the former Soviet Union countries are always among the top contenders. In the Middle East and Africa, Iran and Egypt, respectively, have already won Olympic medals. In Asia, China, South Korea, and Mongolia stand out. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, 17 different countries won medals. Brazil has never won a medal in this sport throughout the history of the Olympic Games. The first Brazilian medal in Olympic wrestling, at a world championship, was won by wrestler Aline Silva. The great achievement occurred at the 2014 Senior World Championship, held in Uzbekistan. Aline won the silver medal in the under-75 kg category.
The objective is common to all three styles: to immobilize the opponent with their back to the ground, the so-called pin. This action immediately ends the fight. Other words, such as Touché and Pin, are also used to describe the move. If neither athlete manages to execute the move that ends the fight, the decision will be made according to the score accumulated over the two three-minute rounds. In all three styles, it is not permitted to perform any type of movement against the opponent's joints that causes damage to the athletes' physical integrity. It is also prohibited to grab the neck with both hands. In Greco-Roman wrestling, athletes can only use their torso and arms to defend and attack. If one of the opponents manages to open an 8-point lead during the fight, they are considered the winner by technical superiority. In men's freestyle wrestling, the use of legs to defend and attack is allowed. If one of the athletes manages to open a 10-point advantage, they will be declared the winner by technical superiority. Women's wrestling is equivalent to men's freestyle. Therefore, the use of legs to defend and attack is allowed. It is forbidden to grab the hair and the chest area. It is the only style contested by women and was included in the Olympic program in the 2004 edition in Athens.
2) What is the Wrestling Project at UERJ?
The Wrestling project (known as Olympic Wrestling in BRAZIL) at UERJ is a long-term project at UERJ with the collaboration of the Olympic Wrestling Federation and associates of the state of Rio de Janeiro (FLOAERJ) and support from the Brazilian Wrestling Confederation (CBW). The main objective is to create a sports community focused on athletics and wrestling. Children, teenagers, and young people from the age of 10, including those from the communities and students from UERJ (Rio de Janeiro State University), can participate in the project through a selection process. The project aims to teach and practice Olympic wrestling techniques in both freestyle and Greco-Roman styles, and promote physical, emotional, and cognitive development in a learning environment, providing students with the conditions for developing activities outside of school and university hours, enabling future state and national competitions. 60 places will be offered per semester starting in 2023, grouped into 2 teams of 30 students each, respectfully divided by age group: 10-17 and over 18. Depending on the progress of training during the first year, teams will be formed to participate in state and national competitions.
3) Objectives of the Wrestling Project at UERJ
General Objective:
To offer wrestling training to children, adolescents, and young people over 10 years old, using the practice as a preventative tool against drug use in areas of social vulnerability. To provide and assist human development in physical aspects and the development of values. To train athletes to compete in competitions and to perform at events. To develop a taste for wrestling practices and discipline, respect for others, and teamwork. For children, adolescents, and young people over 10 years old, the practice becomes a preventative tool for drug use in areas of social vulnerability. To provide and assist human development in physical aspects and the development of values. Training of athletes to compete in competitions and to perform at events. To develop a taste for wrestling practices and discipline, respect for others, and teamwork.
Specific Objectives:
Skills related to the practice of wrestling, such as standing or ground techniques;
Development through takedowns, strikes, combinations, counter-strikes, among others.
Tactical and strategic development for wrestling.
Develop freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling techniques, strengthening the body, physique, and mind in an integrated way;
Evaluate the stretching, physical preparation, and motor skills of the participants;
Develop educational videos on techniques and a public application to teach wrestling techniques;
Skills related to teamwork and preparation for life, with the development of specific values such as responsibility, character, respect, and overcoming challenges;
Conceptualize wrestling in its historical context.
Develop skills for participation in state and national competitions;
Develop specific techniques according to the level of development.
4) Relationship between teaching, research, and outreach:
The Wrestling project at UERJ has a teaching, research, and outreach character. In terms of teaching, this project aims to teach basic and fundamental wrestling techniques to students through theoretical and practical classes. It also aims to create a special website, videos, and a special application to teach wrestling techniques. In terms of research, the project aims to study the effect of mathematical logic on learning wrestling techniques and on the real-life experiences of the students participating in the project. Another research topic is the evaluation of the stretching, physical preparation, and motor skills of the participants. Finally, in terms of outreach, the project aims to provide free classes to internal and external UERJ students from low-income families. The project also aims to develop professional wrestling athletes to participate in national and, in the future, international championships.
5) References and Useful Links:
Tom Jarman and Reid Hanley, Wrestling For Beginners, 1983
Bill A. Welker and Zeke Jones, The Wrestling Drill book, 2012
http://cbw.org.br